REPORT DATE: 08-29-2020
REPORT TIME: 0720 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: SHIP SHOAL   193
IMAGE DATE: 08-28-2020
IMAGE TIME: 1638 UTC
DATA SOURCE: SENTINEL2B 
MODE: Multispectral  
RESOLUTION: 10 meter
LOCATION: 28°35'34" N/91°00'00" W
AREA: 0.91 square kilometers
CONFIDENCE: Medium-High
REMARKS: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The anomaly was located approximately 50 nmi SW of Port Fourchon, LA and measured approximately 3.9 nmi in length and 0.1 nmi in width, oriented generally north-south. It had a distinct dark appearance against its background with shimmery white color along the southern half, suggesting possible thicker oil. Winds at the time of the image were around 10 kts from the S, which aligned well with the anomaly. The anomaly was co-located with NRC report #1285893. Confidence that this was oil is medium-high.

UNCERTAINTIES: Although several oil facilities were in the immediate area of the anomaly, none could be identified as a likely source. The anomaly had a similar appearance to some natural oil seeps found in other areas of the image, but was not located in an area of known seeps.

Maps and shapefiles can be accessed at: www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/marinepollution/

ERMA: https://erma.noaa.gov/gulfofmexico/erma.html#/layers=1+45122&x=-90.99173446463561&y=28.59241556257584&z=11&panel=layer

If you would like to share any feedback about this report or have questions, please contact the operational analyst at (301) 683-1403 or send to oceanmap@noaa.gov. Email alerts are available only for federal and state government officials involved in response efforts. Requests to be added to the email alerts should also be sent to oceanmap@noaa.gov. Please allow up to 2 business days to process the request.

For further information on oil spill response and assessment go to:https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills 

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